Trust me. A new development involving his character, ambitious CIA operative Jai Wilcox, is so chilling, fans will be left open-mouthed and more than a little shaky.

That moment is just the start of twists and turns galore promised by the international spy drama's adventurous third season, debuting at 9 p.m. Tuesday on USA Network.

In fact, if, like me, you have been a spotty viewer of “Covert Affairs” — or haven't watched at all — this may be the time to dig in. Change is rampant at the agency, starting with the first episode. Brilliant linguist Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) is reassigned, and her new mentor, Lena, played by Sarah Clarke (“24”), pushes her into the lion's den right away. Annie's first mission under Lena has her jetting to Morocco, where she's expected to get as close as possible to a suspected KGB spy.

What results is intrigue aplenty and instances of danger that will keep you at the edge of your seat. And yes, true to the show's title, an affair develops between Annie and her assignment — dashing Cambridge-educated venture capitalist Simon Fischer (played to appealing perfection by Richard Coyle of “Coupling”) — that adds sexy sizzle to the sandy locale.

Meanwhile, back in D.C., Annie's bosses and fellow operatives, including beloved confidante Auggie Anderson (Christopher Gorham), are busy investigating a dark crime that has impacted the future of the agency.

Coming to a close

While “Covert” is about new beginnings, “The Closer,” is about, well, closure.

After seven seasons on TNT, the popular detective drama — starring Kyra Sedgwick as one of TV's most memorable female characters, LAPD deputy chief Brenda Johnson — comes to an end next month. Its writers promise a satisfying last six episodes — which, among other things, will unmask the source of that mysterious department leak that fueled last season's federal lawsuit against Brenda. Moreover, the capper to her storyline is said to be so moving that a box of tissues will be needed at the side of each viewer.

I've seen two of the show's final installments, including the opener airing at 8 p.m. Monday. That one sets up a potential conclusion to the obsession that has haunted Brenda for years: putting her biggest nemesis, lawyer and suspected rapist/murderer Philip Stroh (Billy Burke), behind bars.

A female body has turned up in a hotel room, and evidence points to the lead suspect having a partner in the rape and killing. Brenda believes it's Stroh, the man's attorney. By causing a major disruption in court that spawns a mistrial, she is able to buy time to amass the proof she hopes will make the suspect crack and give up Stroh.

In the July 23 episode, the setting is a hospital, where a beloved cancer doctor is brutally slain and his drug supply cleaned out. The case is particularly difficult for Brenda since her own father (Barry Corbin) is battling thyroid cancer.

Both episodes kept me captivated all the way to their surprising conclusions. Sedgwick, who deservedly won an Emmy in 2010 for her nuanced performance as the brilliant and quirky crime-solver, is in top form once again in this six-episode swan song — especially in scenes that exhibit Brenda's almost crazed fixation on Stroh.

Yes, fans can take some comfort in knowing a spin-off, “Major Crimes,” will bring back most of “The Closer's” detectives under the direction of Capt. Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell). Still, life at the precinct can't possibly be as interesting without Sedgwick's sweets-craving, frank-talking and manically driven Brenda Leigh Johnson.

Jeanne Jakle's column appears Wednesdays and Sundays in S.A. Life, and she blogs at Jakle's Jacuzzi on mySA.com. Email her at jjakle@express-news.net.